HomeMy WebLinkAboutWilliamson Planning applicationName: Elizabeth Roberts Williamson
Physical Address: 405 S. 5th Avenue
Mailing Address (if different): same as above
Email: elizr.williamson@gmail.com
Phone(s): 406-586-9730 (h): 406-579-7260 (c)
Length of time in the Bozeman area: 14 years
Occupation: Conservation Policy Advocate and Planner
Employer: American Wildlands
Have you ever served on a City or County board? (Yes/No) No
(If so, where, what board, and how long?)
Please explain your relevant qualifications, interests, and experiences.
My undergraduate degree is in Geography and I have always had a special interest in land-use planning.
In winter 2001, I applied for and was offered (by Planning Director, Andy Epple) a Bozeman City Planner I
position. I declined however as the full-time position required me to start before I could complete my
degree. Upon receiving my masters a few months later, I took a GIS Analyst position with American
Wildlands, a Bozeman-based U.S. Northern Rockies wildlife conservation organization. In this position, I
worked on a variety of land management questions including the development of a conservation planning
strategy for Bozeman Pass. From 2003 to present, I have coordinated multi-agency and citizen working
groups. In these leadership roles, I have honed my abilities as a facilitator and consensus builder.
Throughout my time in Bozeman, I've worked to deepen my understanding of the diverse interests in the
city, county and state as a whole. Earlier this year I was a member of the Bozeman Recycling Committee;
put together by Solid Waste Division Superintendent, Steve Johnson. In 1999, I participated in Leadership
Bozeman. In that program, I learned about the history, economics and demographics of our city. I
attended the Big Sky, Big Sprawl Conference to learn more regarding innovative planning options and
considerations available to Montanan cities and counties. To help "bring to ground" the ideas I learned at
conferences and through my degree, I participated in the 2020 Bozeman Growth Plan focus groups.
While working on the MT Noxious Weed Survey and Mapping Project at Montana State University (MSU)
from 1996-1999, I taught workshops and presented at Montana GIS, engineering and invasive plant
conferences where state planning issues were discussed and evaluated.
From my experiences as a teacher I have become a skilled listener. I also have a strong ability to distill
and consolidate information and to reform it into common interest solutions. While I consider myself a
progressive Democrat, I am highly interested in pursuing planning solutions that are market-based, thus
supporting the city's need for a strong and vibrant economy.
As a waitress at the Baucchus Pub, substitute librarian at the Bozeman Public Library, instructor at both
MSU and Career Transitions, and conservationist with American Wildlands, I have heard a wide spectrum
of perspectives regarding our city's community and what is best for it. Through these experiences, I've
come to learn that the process is as important as the product. If understanding, trust and consensus are
not developed through the process, then the outcomes are often in jeopardy of being short-sighted and
unsupported; causing little long-term gain to be made.
As a committed member of the Bozeman community and an informed and open-minded citizen of
Bozeman, I would like bring my understanding of Bozeman and planning to the next level. If selected, I
would bring my 14 years of living and working with members of this community, aptitude for evaluating
land-use questions, skills at consensus building, and background in working with diverse interest groups
to the city planning board.
Thank you for your time and interest.
List of relevant experience:
- Member, Bozeman Recycling Committee: 2008
- Wildlife and Highways Program Coordinator: 2007-present
- Instructor, Montana State University: 2004; Special topic lecturer: 2004-2008
- Bozeman Pass, Working Group Leader, American Wildlands: 2003-2006
- Bozeman Pass, GIS Analyst Landscape Connectivity Project, American Wildlands: 2001-2002
- 2020 City Smart Growth Focal Group Participant: 2000
- Instructor, Career Transitions, Bozeman: Spring & Fall 2000
- Research Assistant (MSc.), Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State
University-Bozeman: 1999-2001
- Attendee, Big Sky Big Sprawl Conference: 1999
- Participant, Leadership Bozeman: 1999
- Project Assistant, MT Noxious Weed Survey and Mapping System, Montana State University-Bozeman:
1996-1999
- Volunteer, GPS in Schools Program, Anderson Elementary: 1997
- Special Education Aide, Longfellow Elementary: 1995-1996
- Substitute Reference Librarian, Bozeman Public Library: 1994-1995
- Waitress, Baucchus Pub: 1994-1995
- Teacher, Phillips Andover Academy: 1993-1994
- B.A. Geography, University of Vermont, Burlington: 1989-1993
References (Individual or Organization)
Individual
Please include name and phone for three references.
April Johnston, Conservation Director, American Wildlands: 406.586.8175 ext. 106
Diana Cooksey, Faculty, Montana State University- Bozeman: 406.994.7060
Chris Mehl, Communications Director, Headwaters Economics/ City Planning Board
Member-Bozeman: 406.570.8937
I understand that sending this email is the same as signing my name. (Yes/No)
Yes
Special Note: This application is considered public record. Application contact information may
be displayed on the City of Bozeman website.